DAWN
i just killed off what was left of the optimist in me
While she had expected the ascension to be soon, she hadn’t realized that it would be quite so soon. It is still the depths of winter, though the beginning of spring is beginning to show itself in the east, and she has only just given birth to her youngest – twins, again, but her heart is so full that she does not mind the fact that she has hardly slept in a year, amidst raising children and falling pregnant and battling emotional turmoil all the while. A boy and a girl this time, trueborn heirs to the throne if they are to follow a royal line; Nolin and Athena.
She hasn’t missed the threat looming on the horizon, especially after their visit to Tephra and her new queen. The magician had been fearsome to behold, and yet Dawn had felt empowered to speak up, to share the unjust and hurt that Loess had put upon her and her family. There was something about the magical woman to the west that frightened Dawn but filled her with hope all at the same time – she is someone powerful enough to start and end a war all on her own, and she is grateful that Tephra and the Cove are allies. Leliana is not someone she would want as an enemy.
They gather at Ilma’s call, all of the council and the Cove residents, and Dawn joins them at the base of the ledge, not yet stepping forward to claim her crown as Ilma begins to speak. She has left her youngest in the company of her elder girls, and if she turns around, she can see the four of them hanging back at the edge of the crowd, too young to participate but too curious not to stay away.
Ilma announces her abdication and invites the duo to stand by her side, but Dawn only moves forward below the ledge and turns to face them, not wanting to address them from above when her turn comes. While she is now a queen, most of these people were her friends first – she does not think herself above them, aside from in title.
The white woman goes on to explain her plans for the East, and Dawn’s ear flicks back to listen, her face a mask. Why should Ilma’s decisions hold any weight now, after she has passed on the leadership to Clayton and herself? Annoyance rises in the golden girl, but she pushes it down until Ilma is finished speaking.
She watches Kensa’s brow furrow and smiles at her friend as she begins to speak, nodding before she even finishes her sentence. She goes on to congratulate the new rulers and Dawn’s smile broadens, her dark eyes glowing with delight. Kensa’s approval – and Lie’s approval, though he has remained silent so far, and she cannot yet bring her eyes to meet his – is what means most to her, aside from perhaps her Sunny’s... but he is not here to see this.
“Thank you all, for this wonderful opportunity and for your support as we make this transition,” she begins, voice echoing over those gathered. Her eyes fall on her children in the background and a tender expression crosses her face. There is much to be discussed, but she has to know that even if it comes to war, they will be safe. They are all that matters to her in this world. “Kensa is correct, the Council must meet immediately and discuss the coming issues. Clayton and I will call a kingdom meeting later to discuss the changes to the East, and our decisions moving forward. Give us a few hours, everyone, and we will reconvene.” A simple dismissal, and hopefully one they heed. The things that the Council must discuss are urgent, and they do not currently have the time to waste.
